Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
  • B41F23/00—Devices for treating the surfaces of sheets, webs, or other articles in connection with printing
  • B41F23/04—Devices for treating the surfaces of sheets, webs, or other articles in connection with printing by heat drying, by cooling, by applying powders
  • B41F23/0403—Drying webs
  • B41F23/0406—Drying webs by radiation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
  • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
  • B41M5/0011—Pre-treatment or treatment during printing of the recording material, e.g. heating, irradiating
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
  • B41F23/00—Devices for treating the surfaces of sheets, webs, or other articles in connection with printing
  • B41F23/08—Print finishing devices, e.g. for glossing prints
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
  • B41F9/00—Rotary intaglio printing presses
  • B41F9/06—Details
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
  • B41M1/00—Inking and printing with a printer's forme
  • B41M1/10—Intaglio printing ; Gravure printing
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
  • B41M7/00—After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, setting of the ink, protection of the printed stock
  • B41M7/0027—After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, setting of the ink, protection of the printed stock using protective coatings or layers by lamination or by fusion of the coatings or layers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
  • B41M7/00—After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, setting of the ink, protection of the printed stock
  • B41M7/0045—After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, setting of the ink, protection of the printed stock using protective coatings or film forming compositions cured by mechanical wave energy, e.g. ultrasonics, cured by electromagnetic radiation or waves, e.g. ultraviolet radiation, electron beams, or cured by magnetic or electric fields, e.g. electric discharge, plasma
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
  • B41M7/00—After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, setting of the ink, protection of the printed stock
  • B41M7/0081—After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, setting of the ink, protection of the printed stock using electromagnetic radiation or waves, e.g. ultraviolet radiation, electron beams
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
  • C09D11/00—Inks
  • C09D11/52—Electrically conductive inks
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
  • C09D133/00—Coating compositions based on homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by only one carboxyl radical, or of salts, anhydrides, esters, amides, imides, or nitriles thereof; Coating compositions based on derivatives of such polymers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
  • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
  • B41J11/0015—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form for treating before, during or after printing or for uniform coating or laminating the copy material before or after printing
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
  • B41M3/00—Printing processes to produce particular kinds of printed work, e.g. patterns
  • B41M3/008—Sequential or multiple printing, e.g. on previously printed background; Mirror printing; Recto-verso printing; using a combination of different printing techniques; Printing of patterns visible in reflection and by transparency; by superposing printed artifacts
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
  • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
  • B41M5/50—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO PRINTING, LINING MACHINES, TYPEWRITERS, AND TO STAMPS
  • B41P2200/00—Printing processes
  • B41P2200/30—Heliography

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to multi-layer printing processes and, more particularly, relates to a multi-layer printing processes and resultant product that employs an energy curable coating that provides advantages over conventional hot/cold foil stamping.
• indicia In the printing and/or manufacturing industries, it is often desirable to print or otherwise apply indicia to a product container or other packaging. Traditionally, selection of the application process would revolve around the physical characteristics of the final indicia. In some applications, durability of the indicia was paramount (e.g. resistance to scuffing or damage). In some applications, appearance of the indicia was paramount (e.g. reflectivity). In some applications, durability, appearance, and/or other characteristics were desirable.
• hot stamping is a dry printing method in which a heated die and foil are used to apply graphics to a target surface.
• the process of hot stamping generally comprises heating a die defining a desired shape for the transfer, applying a metallic foil over the target surface, and, through a combination of heat, dwell time, and pressure, a partial transfer of the metallic foil, in the shape of the die, is transferred and bonded to the target surface.
• Hot/cold foil stamping is often desirable because of it being a dry process that does not employ solvents or inks, and does not typically result in harmful vapors.
• the quality of the foil stamping process is highly dependent on the quality of the fixture or anvil used to support the part to be printed. That is, the fixture must be supportive to reliably and repeatably position the part to be printed. Variation in either may compromise the quality of the stamping process.
• Rotary hot/cold foil stamping can improve the processing rate of conventional foil stamping as it reduces the dwell time. This can, in turn, improve the resultant detail of the indicia.
• use of the rotary hot foil stamping system can be challenging in terms of trying to maintain the desired temperature of the die. In all cases, the die must be held securely in position in order to produce even depth of impression through heavy and light coverage regions of the die.
• foil stamping indicia there are limits to the complexity of foil stamping indicia.
• foil stamping can be limited to specific surface topography.
• foil stamping can be costly compared to ink printing.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustration of a printing system according to some embodiments of the present teachings
• FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a product made in accordance with the multi-layer printing process of the present teachings according to some embodiments;
• FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a product made in accordance with the multi-layer printing process of the present teachings according to some embodiments.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional foil stamping product.
• Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well- known technologies are not described in detail.
• first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
• Spatially relative terms such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
• a printing system 10 is provided according to the principles of the present teachings.
• printing system 10 is based on a rotogravure (also known as a gravure) printing system.
• the system is generally an intaglio-type printing system that involves engraving the image onto an image carrier.
• gravure printing the image is engraved onto a cylinder for use in a rotary printing press configuration.
• the principles of the present teachings are not limited to only gravure type printing systems and are equally applicable to flexographic printing and the like.
• ink is transferred from a fountain roller to a flexible plate cylinder by a so-called anilox roller that meters the ink.
• the gravure process system is configured by first creating one or more cylinders with an engraved image to be printed. Engraving of the image on the cylinder can be accomplished according to any one of a number of techniques, including physical engraving (e.g. via a diamond stylus), etching (e.g. chemical etching), and the like. This engraved image is sized to contain the printing ink to be transferred to the substrate.
• the substrate can comprise paper or other fibrous material, such as stock, cardboard, corrugated board, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, BOPP and the like. It should be noted, however, that alternative substrate materials can be used that are conventional in the art.
• the invention is particularly advantageous for fibrous substrates such as paper or board that present a relatively rough surface.
• Boards usable in the invention typically have a grammage from about 160 g/m 2 to about 400 g/m 2 , often in the range 180 to 280 g/m 2 . This corresponds to a thickness in the range of about 180 to 400 ⁇ depending on the density of the board material.
• Paper substrates range typically from about 80 g/m 2 to about 160 g/m 2 .
• printing system 10 can comprise a plurality of stations 12, such as a first station 12A, a second station 12B, a third station 12C, a fourth station 12D, a fifth station 12E, a sixth station 12F, a seventh station 12G, an eighth station 12H, a ninth station 121, and a tenth station 12J.
• stations 12 can be configured with fewer or greater number of stations; however, the present embodiment represents at least one preferred embodiment.
• each of the plurality of stations 12 can be configured for a different purpose, such as application of an energy curable ink (which will be discussed more completely herein), a different color, a different coating, or the like. In this regard, any one of a number of layering and processing patterns can be achieved on the substrate.
• printing system 10 can comprise a feed system 14 for supplying and feeding a substrate to be printed or web 16, such as paper, stock, cardboard, corrugated board, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, BOPP and the like, to each of the plurality of stations 12.
• a feed system 14 for supplying and feeding a substrate to be printed or web 16, such as paper, stock, cardboard, corrugated board, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, BOPP and the like, to each of the plurality of stations 12.
• Each of the plurality of stations 12 can comprise a printing cylinder 18 disposed therein.
• printing system 10 can further comprise an optional inspection station 20. Inspection station 20 can be disposed in a downstream position relative to the plurality of stations 12.
• Inspection station 20 can automatically check and/or continually check the quality, rate, and condition of the now-printed substrate 16 and the resultant indicia contained thereon.
• the now-printed substrate 16 can then be final processed and palletized, if desired, in finishing station 22.
• Finishing station 22 can accomplish any one of a number of processing functions, such as creasing, die cutting, palletizing, and the like.
• the printing system 10 further comprises at least one curing station 30.
• Curing station 30 in some embodiments, can be used for curing an energy curable ink deposited on substrate 16.
• curing station 30 can comprise a beam unit 32 outputting an energy beam 34, such as an electron beam and/or an ultraviolet beam, directed at substrate 16.
• an energy beam 34 such as an electron beam and/or an ultraviolet beam
• a current can be placed across a filament causing electrons to be accelerated off the filament.
• These electrons can be used with an energy curable ink, such as an energy curable metallic ink, to cause a polymerization in the ink (herein referred to as EB curing).
• Beam unit 32 can comprise nitrogen to ensure the curing environment is inert, if desired.
• UV curing can also be under atmospheric condition. EB curing typically does not generate much heat and is therefore beneficial in many applications. However, as mentioned, UV curing can also be used in accordance with the present teachings, although they should not be regarded as obvious variants of each other as various technical and procedural differences exist between the two.
• EB curing generally employs high-energy electrons. These electrons are generally not affected by the thickness of printing inks or the color of the ink.
• the electron beam 34 provides sufficient energy to cure thick coatings and/or pass through other substrates.
• the energy curable ink of the present teachings can comprise, in some embodiments, an acrylate material that cures by free radical polymerization. Therefore, unlike other curing systems, a photoinitiator is not required. The electron energy is sufficient to cause the acrylate materials to polymerize by opening the acrylate bonds to form free radicals. These radicals then attack the remaining acrylate bonds until the reaction reaches completion. The result is a cured layer upon the substrate that is durable and provides previously-unattained reflectivity and optical characteristics using an ink-type application.
• the engraved cylinder 18 is partially immersed in the ink fountain, filling the recessed cells with energy curable ink, conventional ink, and/or the like.
• the cylinder rotates, it draws ink out of the fountain with it.
• a doctor blade scrapes the cylinder before it makes contact with the substrate, removing excess ink from the non-printing (non-recessed) areas and leaving in the cells the right amount of ink required.
• the substrate gets sandwiched between the impression roller and the gravure cylinder, thereby transferring the ink to the substrate.
• the purpose of the impression roller is to apply force, pressing the substrate onto the gravure cylinder, ensuring even and maximum coverage of the ink.
• the capillary action of the substrate and the pressure from impression rollers force the ink out of the cell cavity and transfer it to the substrate.
• the substrate can then proceed to a dryer to completely dry before application of the subsequent layer.
• the substrate 16 can include application of the energy curable ink at one or more of the plurality of stations 12.
• the eighth station 12H can include application of an energy curable ink to substrate 16.
• Substrate 16 can continue its downstream processing, and be directed to curing station 30 (procedurally between eighth station 12H and ninth station 121, whereby beam unit 32 outputs electron beam 34 directed at the energy curable ink from station 12H.
• Application of electron beam 34 to energy curable ink on substrate 16 (the EB coating) causes a polymerization or other curing process of energy curable ink.
• several layers of coatings can be cured down to a single layer. As a result of this process, the energy curable ink is thus bonded or otherwise cured to substrate 16.
• this process produces a resultant indicia (made from the now-cured energy curable ink) that can be tailored to provide any one of a number of reflectivity characteristics up to at least a mirror finish.
• the results of the present process are at least equivalent to foil stamping, but with additional flexibility.
• the durability of the finish composition in many applications, is sufficient so as to avoid the need for any additional layers or protective coatings, such as lacquer and the like.
• a product 100 is illustrated in FIG. 2A having a substrate 16, an energy cured layer 102, and an optional overcoat layer (e.g. lacquer) 104.
• product 100 can comprise substrate 16, an energy cured layer 102, a metallic ink layer 106 applied above energy cured layer 102, and an optional overcoat layer 104 disposed above metallic ink layer 106.
• a conventional foil stamped product 200 illustrated in FIG. 3 having a substrate 216 and a foil stamping 218.
• metallic ink layer 106 (FIG. 2B) can be applied to the now-cured energy cured layer 102 to provide a high finish quality at station 121 or 12J.
• the metallic ink used for metallic ink layer 106 can be conventional metallic ink that is available in an assortment of colors. It has been found that application of metallic ink layer 106 to the energy cured layer 102 creates a bond therebetween that results in increased durability of metallic ink layer 106 relative to conventional application of metallic ink layers.
• an overcoat layer 104 which is discussed herein, may not be required to protect metallic ink layer 106.
• the finish quality of the metallic ink layer 106 (being disposed upon energy cured layer 102) is enhanced (e.g. improved reflectivity) compared to metallic ink layers deposited directly on a substrate according to conventional processes.
• a lacquer or overcoat layer 104 can be applied to the now-cured energy cured layer 102 and/or metallic ink layer 106 to provide a high finish quality at station 121 or 12J and/or enhance durability. Notwithstanding, however, it has been found that because of the high finish quality provided by the now-cured energy cured layer 102 and/or metallic ink layer 106, application of this overcoat layer (see 104 of FIGS. 2A and 2B) is often not needed to enhance finish quality and, in some cases, application of this overcoat layer may in fact reduce the overall finish quality because of the high native quality of the energy cured layer 102. Moreover, in such applications that do not employ a lacquer or overcoat layer, the durability of the energy cured layer is often sufficient for many, if not all, applications.
• a curing station 30' Similar to curing station 30 positioned between stations 12H and 121, a curing station 30', having a similar construction, can be positioned between any other of the plurality of stations 12, such as between third station 12C and fourth station 12D. In such embodiments, additional or alternative energy cured coating layers can be applied and subsequently cured in curing station 30'.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Toxicology (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Materials Engineering (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
• Printing Methods (AREA)
• Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
• Supply, Installation And Extraction Of Printed Sheets Or Plates (AREA)
• Coating Apparatus (AREA)
• Production Of Multi-Layered Print Wiring Board (AREA)
• Paper (AREA)

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• 2013
  • 2013-03-06 MX MX2014010732A patent/MX339920B/es active IP Right Grant
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  • 2013-03-06 JP JP2014561070A patent/JP6714321B2/ja active Active
  • 2013-03-06 WO PCT/US2013/029313 patent/WO2013134359A1/en active Application Filing
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